Liverpool John Lennon Airport, one of the UK's oldest operational airports, marks its 93rd birthday today (July 1). Originally known as Speke Airport, it opened on July 1, 1933, in a ceremony led by then-Secretary of State for Air, Charles Vane-Tempest Stewart. The site, constructed on land once belonging to Speke Hall, began operations from a converted farmhouse, Chapel House Farm, which served as the terminal and control tower, featuring a state-of-the-art dormer window for extra visibility.
Early Years and Wartime Role
In its early years, Liverpool Airport saw flights to destinations such as Blackpool, the Isle of Man, Manchester, London, Ireland, and Amsterdam. By the late 1930s, air traffic increased due to demand for Irish Sea crossings. During World War II, the airport played a significant role as Liverpool was the most heavily bombed area outside London. Paved runways replaced original grass strips to accommodate larger, heavier planes, and the site hosted military aircraft production at the Lockheed and Rootes factories.
Following Victory in Europe Day, civil airline operations resumed, with passenger numbers rising from 50,000 in 1945 to 75,000 in 1948.
Post-War Development and Ownership Changes
The government maintained authority over Speke Airport until midnight on January 1, 1962, when the city assumed management and began drafting expansion plans. The council constructed a new runway south of Speke Hall, opened by Prince Philip in 1966, allowing Liverpool to operate as a 24-hour facility for the first time. By 1974, Speke faced a grim outlook as Manchester's Ringway Airport advanced, and the council voted for total closure, planning residential housing. However, a deal with Merseyside County Council saved the airport.
A new modern passenger terminal, adjacent to the runway on the Southern Airfield site, opened in 1986. This 1930s building later became the Crowne Plaza Liverpool John Lennon Airport hotel. During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Everton and Liverpool football clubs' players regularly used the airport for European matches, and it welcomed famous faces like The Beatles and Pope John Paul II.
Privatisation and Renaming
In 1990, the airport was privatised, with British Aerospace taking a 76% shareholding. It later became a wholly owned subsidiary of Peel Holdings Ltd. During this time, Concorde was a regular visitor, and Mother Teresa arrived in 1996 for her final visit to Merseyside. In 2001, the airport was renamed in honour of John Lennon, 22 years after his death, as a lasting tribute to the Liverpool-born former Beatle. A new terminal was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.
Recent Ownership and Future
In March 2016, Liverpool City Council acquired a stake in the airport. Today, the airport is majority owned by Ancala, an independent infrastructure investment manager. Ancala first became involved in 2019, acquiring a 47% joint interest in partnership with The Peel Group, with Liverpool City Council holding a 6% shareholding. In October 2025, Ancala acquired an additional 47% share from The Peel Group, becoming the majority shareholder with a 94% holding, while Liverpool City Council retains its 6% interest.
